Dry, warmer weather expected till May 3 in J&K

SRINAGAR — The weatherman on Friday said that dry and warmer weather was expected from April 24 to May 3 even as plains in Kashmir Valley received more rains while upper reaches including the world-famous skiing resort of Gulmarg received fresh snowfall.

A Meteorological Department official said that Srinagar received 37.4mm of rain in the last 24 hours till 08:30 AM today while it recorded a low of 4.6°C against 8.6°C on the previous night. The temperature was 4.3°C below normal in the summer capital of J&K for this time of the season, he said.

Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, received 15.4mm of rain during the time and recorded a low of 3.6°C against previous night’s 4.6°C, the official said.

Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, received 21.4mm of rain and recorded a low of 0.8°C against 3.3°C on the previous night, he said.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, received 13.3mm of rain during the time and recorded a low of 1.8°C against previous night’s 3.7°C, the official said.

Kupwara had 11.0mm of rain and recorded a low of 3.7°C against 5.0°C on the previous night, the official said.

Gulmarg, the world famous skiing resort in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, received 29.0cm (near one foot) of fresh snowfall in the last 24 hours, the officials said.

The report recorded a low of minus 2.0°C against minus 0.5°C on the previous night, the official said.

Reports of snowfall have been received in other upper reaches of the Valley.

The MeT office has forecast “isolated to scattered light rain/thunderstorm over Jammu and Kashmir divisions” in next 24 hours.

“Weather will improve gradually as the day progresses and from April 24 till 3rd May expect dry and warmer weather in both J&K and Ladakh,” as per Director Meteorological Department, Sonam Lotus.